OBITUARY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7177, 30 May 1891, Page 1

OBITUARY.

j CHARLES PITT CHOLMONDELEY.

A. brier notice appeared in tne... columns yesterday morning conveying th< sad intelligence that Mr Charles Pitl Cholmondeley had breathed his last More especially by the old settlers — alaß a rapidly diminished band — would thi announcement be received with feeei regret. Mr Cholmondeloy came of tht old Cheshire family of that name, a family to which the present Marquis oi Cholmondeley and Lord Delemere, a cousii of the deceased gentleman, belong. Mi Cholmondeley could claim to be one of th< pillars of the Canterbury settlement, foi he arrived in the Charlotte Jane, the first t< arrive of the historical " first four ships.' He wna a fellow-passenger with th< Pitzgeralds, the Bowens, the Bishops, thi late Stuart Wortley and Mr Mountfort. A cousin — one whoso high character anc varied gifts made him a prominent figurt among the early settlers — was also a pas> senger in the Charlotte Jane. Thero will still linger a recollection of Mr Thomaf Cholmondeley in the minds of the few survivors who were associated in the conduct of the infant settlement, of which he was ono of the founders. Soon after hi_ arrival Mr C. P. Cholmondeley was attracted with others to the Peninsula, and the part he selected in which tc tako up his residence was Port Levy, Here a comfortable home, Burrounded with cultivated fields, hefore long bore witness to the energy of the new settler in subduing the wilderness. Vale Royal, named after the old ancestral home, soon became known far and wide for the hospitality dispensed by its proprietor. Mr Cholmondeley resided at Port Levy until a few years ago, when failing health led him to undertake a voyage to England to seek medical advice. He derived but little benefit by the trip, and on his return the ailment from which he Buffered — a form of paralysis — gradually increased in malignance. Three weeks ago he had to give up his wonted drive, and from that time he quietly sank to his rest, passing away at his residence, Glenfaba, Opawa, on Thursday night, at the age of sixty. In his private life, the deceased gentleman was very much beloved. Hie unaffected simplicity, genial humour and affectionate disposition made him a favourite alike with old and young. He will be greatly missed by the Maoris residing at Port Levy, whom he ever befriended, and with whom he always had the moat cordial intercourse. He took great interest in the welfare of the Church' of England, and worked hard for the erection of the pretty country-like church at Opawa, which stands on a site given by him. Mr Cholmondeley was never married. The Archdeacon of Christchurch is a brother, as is also Mr Hugh Heber Cholmondeley, well known in Christchurch. A . ister is tho wife of Mr P. C. Threlkeld, of Inglewood, Flaxton.

THOMAS FLEMING.

Ifc is with much regret that wa record the death of Mr Thomas Fleming, the well-known teacher of music, who died yesterday morning at the age of fifty-six. As announced in our columns recently, he underwent an operation for aneurism a few days ago, but the attempt to save hiß life thereby was unsuccessful. Mr Fleming was widely known as the leader of one of the best quadrille bands ever formed in Christchurch. His ability as a musician and his genial nature gained him many friends, and the grief for h.3 death will be widespread. j